'It's soul-destroying': Dancing on Ice pro Frankie Seaman says she was 'axed via EMAIL' from the reality show...after having to audition from scratch to prove she was still 'good on camera'

She's starred in eight of the 10 series of the hit ITV ice-skating competition Dancing on Ice.

But now professional ice skater Frankie Seaman, 44, has been cut from the upcoming season - after finding out through email she wasn't invited back to the show.

The athletic beauty had been in talks since February to return, but branded TV bosses 'disrespectful' following their request for the skating pros, who had already starred on the show, to audition from scratch.

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Axed: Professional ice skater Frankie Seaman, 44, has been cut from the upcoming season of Dancing on Ice after finding out through email she wasn't invited back to the show

Frankie, who met English football goalkeeper husband David Seaman during her time on Dancing On Ice, told The Mirror that skaters were 'forced to send in videos of themselves on the ice', despite having 'almost a decade's worth' of clips in their archive, to prove they still had what it takes.

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She called the process of auditioning again 'demeaning and demoralising' and even recalled how producers asked how the pros, many of whom had worked on the show since its inception, would handle working with a celebrity.

In her emotional interview, Frankie confessed to the paper: 'I lived and breathed the show. It means so much to me. What's happened is heartbreaking.'

True pro: The athletic beauty, pictured rehearsing with David Seaman in 2014, had been in talks since February to return, but branded TV bosses 'disrespectful' following their request for the skating pros who were already on the show to audition from scratch

Something to prove? Frankie, who met English football goalkeeper husband David Seaman on the show, told The Mirror that skaters were forced to send in videos of themselves on the ice, despite having 'almost a decade's worth' of clips in their archive

'We didn't think it was right we were made to prove ourselves in auditions. We were told there were many new 'big bosses' who didn't know who we were. We thought surely they would have done research.

'At the end of long discussions, we all received the same email saying we would not be involved as the standard was "so very high."'

Frankie, who married her ice-skating goalie in 2015, said she doesn't think any of the other professional dancers were thanked for the work they put into the show's run.

The veteran skater, who had been on the ice for almost 30 years, said she knew none of her cast-mates were irreplaceable, but being made aware they had to reapply for the job was 'soul destroying'.

Heartbroken: Frankie married England goalie David Seaman in 2015 - She called the process of auditioning again 'demeaning and demoralising'

The Sheffield native started on the show in 2007 where she danced with footballer Lee Sharp.

Her rise to fame on the show came with a price, as she claims that all dancers - male and female - had to share dressing rooms before the show, which then became a green room for bosses once the show started.

After fighting for their own room, Frankie said their next battle was with food breaks, which she said there were very few of. After tense discussions, the production team finally put on a buffet for the dancers.

An ITV show insider said: 'In order to secure the best professional line up possible, we auditioned and cast skaters all across the world.

Frosty: In her emotional interview, Frankie confessed to the paper: 'I lived and breathed the show. It means so much to me. What's happened is heartbreaking,'

'As with all previous series, we always review our line up of professionals before the start of the series - as with most audition processes, those who were interested in being considered were invited to submit audition tapes.'

It's not the only controversy to hit the show before its latest season kicks off, as the new stars have reportedly been struck down with a 'killer flu' just hours before the live show launch.

The rumoured health crisis is the latest in a series of upsets for the rebooted ITV skating competition - sparking rumours the show could be cursed.

Oh dear: Bake Off star Candice Brown (pictured with pro skater Matt Evers) has reportedly been struck down by 'killer flu' just hours before the Dancing On Ice live launch - alongside a series of other stars

It comes as official photos showed the first six celebrities posing with their professional partners ahead of their appearance on Sunday night's show.

The celebrities looked utterly prepared to hit the rink for the revamped skating competition, which was axed in 2014 due to lagging ratings.

Candice, Stephanie and Alex may be suffering however, as the Daily Star reports the trio are feeling desperately under the weather.

MailOnline has contacted a Dancing On Ice spokesperson for comment.

Feeling under the weather? Hollyoaks star Stephanie Waring, 39, (pictured with partner Sylvain Longchambon) was also rumoured to be feeling peaky

The flu rumours come amid a string of mishaps for the show - as earlier in the week part of the Hemel Hampstead set was blown away by Storm Eleanor and had to be rebuilt.

Meanwhile, cricketer Monty Panesar was forced to pull out of the show just before Christmas after fracturing his ankle during training - with bosses drafting in singer Lemar to replace him.

Lemar was first rumoured to be appearing on the show on Tuesday, which a source telling The Sun: 'Monty suffered a nasty fall during training and has badly injured his ankle. It's a quite serious fracture and he's out of the competition.

Curse: The flu rumours come amid claims the show is cursed after a series of mishaps - including Kem Cetinay's split from girlfriend Amber Davies right after he signed onto the show (pictured with skater Alex Murphy